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Lagos Denies Demolishing 2,000 Houses

The Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban Development Authority (LASPPDA) has denied demolishing 2,000 houses at Ishefun, in Ayobo, contrary to the claim by the affected residents.

The Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban Development Authority (LASPPDA) has denied demolishing 2,000 houses at Ishefun, in Ayobo, contrary to the claim by the affected residents.

An agency of the state government recently swooped on the community and demolished buildings on lands which the government claimed it had acquired and sold to some other people. The Public Relations Officer of LASPPDA, Mrs. Olubukola Nwonah, told P.M.News that only 500 houses were pulled down in the area.

The PRO said the state government gave enough time for the aggrieved residents to relocate before it carried out the demolition. According to her, several notices were given to the Ishefun residents to relocate, but they ignored the warning of the government.

"Before we carried out the demolition, we had served them several statutory notices. "In December 2006, there was a building that was being constructed. We asked the owner to stop work, but he continued to build until it was complete. That structure was demolished. It was a surprise that other structures came up," she said.

Nwonah, who maintained that government would not condone illegality, explained that on the day the houses were pulled down, many of the residents feigned ignorance of the notices served by LASPPDA.

"They had covered the markings we made with cement and paint", she said. She added that rather than relocate, the residents gave money to a community leader who promised to ensure they remained in the community.

Meanwhile, the LASPPDA spokesperson advised those buying land in Lagos to investigate the status of the property before paying. "Once you pay for the land, you need to obtain a development permití, Nwonah said.